Another Arsenal title challenge dies but Wenger bumbles on

They will drop some points at some stage, but we know we can’t afford to drop many now.

However, having maintained a regular starting berth in Guardiola’s side this campaign, Sterling is now looking to repay the faith shown in him by letting his football do the talking. “Now after 20 years we know exactly the identity of this club and that sometimes is much more important than winning titles”.

Wenger has confirmed that talks are underway to offer Giroud a new contract, along with his compatriot Francis Coquelin and several other first-team stars at Arsenal.

“I’m massively excited about this season and what we can achieve”, he added. “From that moment on we lost some goals we are not used to losing”. The last two games were a little better in that sense, but we are not a tall or physical team like most teams in England, second balls we have to be in the right place at the right moment and be intelligent. However, when control, pace and possession are required in such a match then it is the likes of Lucas Perez, Alex Iwobi and even Mohamed Elneny who would have been better options. Raheem Sterling added what proved to be the victor in the 71st minute, and the away side offered little in the way of threat during what remained of the match.

The two players have been vital for Gernot Rohr’s side which now leads group B of the African world cup qualifying round ahead of Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia. It was their first win following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea and also a loss to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

It was a win, though, that came at a significant cost.

City have already lost midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for the season with a cruciate ligament injury but Zabaleta, who was due to have a scan yesterday, hopes his injury will prove far less serious. This game could go a long way to telling us which of these teams will still be aiming for the title – and not just a top 4 place – come May.

The England global quickly sorted his feet out and slotted him with just five minutes played. Arsenal have their problems, too. Walcott flashed a header across goal, and Nacho Monreal found himself just offside during a late counter. The Germany worldwide, signed in the summer, will be unavailable due to injury again on Sunday, meaning, in the continued absence of Per Mertesacker, Gabriel will deputize.

Per Mertesacker (knee), Santi Cazorla (Achilles), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Danny Welbeck (knee) remain sidelined.

Prediction: This promises to be one of the most intriguing, and perhaps consequential, contests of the Premier League season.